Strictly’s Janette Manrara opened up on leaving her daughter as she returns to work

Strictly Come Dancing’s Janette Manrara was quick to admit that she felt ‘scared’ as she gave a candid update about leaving her daughter while returning to work.

The It Takes Two presenter gave birth in July 2023 to her baby girl with husband Aljaz Skorjanec. Away from mum life, the star has been busy with her TV work and now she is making her musical theatre debut in the Chicago UK tour.

Janette will be taking on the role of Roxie Hart in the musical’s nationwide run, performing in over 20 venues across the UK and Ireland. She will follow on from Coronation Street’s Faye Brookes.

Janette Manrara appeared on BBC The One Show and opened up about leaving her daughter ( 
Image:
BBC)
Ahead of the tour, Janette appeared on The One Show alongside hosts Roman Kemp and Alex Jones and the hosts wasted no time quizzing the star on how she feels about leaving her daughter at home while touring.

Roman went on to say: “You and Aljaz just finished the Strictly tour so is he and your daughter Lyra going to be coming down.”

Janette admitted: “That’s what kind of not worries me but scares me a little bit because it’s a long contract and to be away from her. Aljaz is going to come to as many venues and cities as he possibly can, Blackpool being one them.

“We’re going to go back to Blackpool and I’ve been there only with Strictly so it’ll be interesting to go now with Chicago but yeah they’re going to come with me as much as possible and I’m flying home on days off just to cuddle with me as much as I can.” Alex asked: “It’s the balance isn’t it?” To which Janette agreed as she added: “Yeah.”

The couple announced their daughter Lyra Rose’s arrival in a sweet social media post in 2023 ( 
Image:
Janette Manrara/Instagram)
The couple announced their daughter Lyra Rose’s arrival in a sweet social media post featuring a black and white photo showing the family of three for the first time after their bundle of joy arrived in 2023.

At the time the couple’s celebrity friends were quick to take to the comments section to share their support. Ashley Roberts wrote: “Lyra Rose is here!!!” before adding in another post: “So beautiful!!! Love you!!!”

While former Strictly dancer James Jordan said: “So happy for you both. Sending love from the Jordans.” Gemma Atkinson commented: “Just wonderful”, with Gorka Marquez adding: “So gorgeous.”